Growing up in post-war Singapore (The Koh Triplets' Mother)

My name is Koh Zhi Wei. I interviewed my mother on 26 July 2006 at home. My mother's name is Sherry Lim Poh Lay. She lives at Choon Guan Street. She was born on 3 June 1958 at Kandang Kerbau Hospital. My mother has three brothers. The eldest is Lim Teh Hian , born on 20 October 1956. My mother is the second child. The third is Lim Teh Keong, born on 1st April 1960. The youngest is Lim Teh Yeong , born on 1st October 1962. My grandfather's name is Lim Sai Phiow. He is a chef. My grandmother's name is Ong Wee Chan. She is a housewife.

In her childhood, my mother used to play with skipping ropes, five stones, tops and catapults. She and her family spent their holidays in Johor Bahru. My mother was a filial and obedient child. She has never been punished by her teachers or parents nor been up to mischief.
Her brothers, on the other hand, were punished as they were more mischievous. Their punishment was being made to stand at the table. My mother helped out in the household chores. Her primary school was Peck Seah Primary School near Tanjong Pagar, Peck Seah Street. Her secondary school was Anderson Secondary School that was at Scotts Road. She remembers her two teachers, Mr Sim and Mrs Tan. Her after-school activities were volleyball and geographical society. She took English, Maths, Chinese, Science ,Literature , History , Geography. Her place of worship is at the temple as she is Taoist.

In the past, courting couples were not allow to hold hands or hug until after marriage. They could not go back home late at night or to stay out late.

My mother's wedding was ordinary. Weddings were held at restaurants. Parties and gatherings were held in a friend's house. Sometimes, my mother shopped at Chinatown and Pasar Malam (Night Market) near the neighbourhood. There were all sorts of forms of  amusement. My mother went to watch the wayang (Chinese roadside opera), puppet shows, film shows, and open-air concerts (especially during the month of Hungry Ghost Festival) with her family. In those days, the value of money was big and prices were low. One did not have to spend too much for entertainment.

My mother’s hobbies are taking trips and reading. She has gone to Thailand, HongKong, Australia and Malaysia.Her favourite sports are running and jogging.

During the floods at Bukit Merah in the 1960s, nobody wanted to step out as they did not want to get drenched or be swept away by the strong current of the floods. There were also racial riots in the 1960s.

When my mother's family was under the British, life was hard and it was difficult to look for a job. When they were under the Japanese rule, life was miserable and tough. Under David Marshall's government from 1955-1956, he did not get full British support. Under Lim Yew Hock's government, he managed to suppress the strikes and riots. Under Lee Kuan Yew's government, life got better and more people moved to HDB flats. Under Malaysia rule in 1963-1965, Singapore merge with Malaysia in order to have more trade and more jobs for the people and to get freedom from the British rule. Under Goh Chok Tong's leadership, technology is increasingly advanced. There is now air conditioning in vehicles, houses and offices. Now transportation is improving, hence no more need to travel by trishaw and there are MRT trains  that move faster than vehicles.

Schools are also being upgraded and recruiting well-qualified teachers. Schools are more spacious and can take in more students. The facilities have also improved. It is not so basic as in the past. Meanwhile, Singapore is proud to be home to the world-class Changi International Airport and award-winning Singapore Airlines. Under Lee HsienLoong's government, Singapore continues to grow and progress. Life is more peaceful, prosperous and harmonious. Now, Singapore is a clean and green country and has many  tourist attractions.

Koh Zhi Wei (28)